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Ernie Els
Ernie Els

Ernie Els

South AfricaSouth Africa
on
off
Metric
6  ft, 3  in
191 cm
Height
210 lbs
95 kg
Weight
52
AGE
1989
Turned Pro
Johannesburg, South Africa
Birthplace
6  ft, 3  in
191 cm
Height
210 lbs
95 kg
Weight
52
AGE
1989
Turned Pro
Johannesburg, South Africa
Birthplace
--
FEDEXCUP Rank (2021)
OWGR--
OWGR
71.329
Scoring Average (2021)
Inside the PGA TOUR South African golf heritage Bobby Locke began the rich tradition of South African golf back in the 1940's, while Gary Player took international golf to a whole new level. Over the last three decades, the South African heritage has been continued by the likes of Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, and most recently, Branden Grace.

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Ernie Els
Ernie Els
South AfricaSouth Africa
Metric
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Ernie Els

Full Name

Els

Pronunciation

6  ft, 3  in

191 cm

Height

210 lbs

95 kg

Weight

October 17, 1969

Birthday

52

AGE

Johannesburg, South Africa

Birthplace

West Palm Beach, Florida

Residence

Wife, Liezl; Samantha, Ben

Family

1989

Turned Pro

$52,420,420

Career Earnings

2011

Hall of Fame

South Africa, South Africa

City Plays From

http://www.ernieels.com

Website

Exempt status

  • PGA TOUR: Past champion beyond 150 in 2019-20 FedExCup (thru 2020-21)

JOINED TOUR

  • PGA TOUR: 1994

PGA TOUR Victories (19)

1994 Season

  • U.S. Open Championship

1995 Season

  • GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic

1996 Season

  • Buick Classic

1997 Season

  • U.S. Open Championship
  • Buick Classic

1998 Season

  • Bay Hill Invitational

1999 Season

  • Nissan Open

2000 Season

  • The International Presented by Qwest

2002 Season

  • Genuity Championship
  • The Open Championship

2003 Season

  • Sony Open in Hawaii
  • Mercedes Championships

2004 Season

  • Sony Open in Hawaii
  • World Golf Championships-American Express Championship
  • the Memorial Tournament

2008 Season

  • The Honda Classic

2010 Season

  • Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
  • World Golf Championships-CA Championship

2012 Season

  • The Open Championship

PGA TOUR Champions Victories (2)

2020-21 Season

  • Hoag Classic
  • SAS Championship

International Victories (47)

  • 1991 Amatola Classic [SAf]
  • 1992 Protea Assurance South Africa Open [SAf]
  • 1992 Lexington PGA Championship [SAf]
  • 1992 South African Masters [SAf]
  • 1992 Hollard Royal Swazi Sun Classic [SAf]
  • 1992 First National Bank Players' Championship [SAf]
  • 1992 Goodyear Classic [SAf]
  • 1993 Dunlop Phoenix [Jpn]
  • 1994 Dubai Desert Classic [Eur]
  • 1994 Toyota World Match Play Championship [Eur]
  • 1994 Johnnie Walker World Championship [Eur]
  • 1994 Sarazen World Open
  • 1995 Lexington South African PGA Championship [SAf]
  • 1995 Toyota World Match Play [Eur]
  • 1995 Bells Cup [SAf]
  • 1996 South African Open [SAf]
  • 1996 Toyota World Match Play [Eur]
  • 1996 Johnnie Walker Super Tour Event
  • 1996 World Cup [indiv]
  • 1997 Johnnie Walker Classic [Aus]
  • 1997 World Cup [indiv]
  • 1998 South African Open [SAf]
  • 1999 Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship [SAf]
  • 1999 Sun City Nedbank Challenge [SAf]
  • 2000 Standard Life Loch Lomond Open [Eur]
  • 2000 Nedbank Challenge [SAf]
  • 2001 Vodacom Players Championship [SAf]
  • 2002 Heineken Classic [Eur]
  • 2002 Dubai Desert Classic [Eur]
  • 2002 Cisco World Match Play [Eur]
  • 2002 Nedbank Challenge [SAf]
  • 2003 Heineken Classic [Eur]
  • 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic [Eur]
  • 2003 The Barclays Scottish Open [Eur]
  • 2003 Omega European Masters [Eur]
  • 2003 HSBC World Match Play Championship [Eur]
  • 2004 Heineken Classic [Eur]
  • 2004 HSBC World Match Play Championship [Eur]
  • 2005 Dubai Desert Classic [Eur]
  • 2005 Qatar Masters [Eur]
  • 2005 BMW Asian Open [Eur]
  • 2005 Alfred Dunhill Championship [Eur]
  • 2007 South African Airways Open [SAf]
  • 2007 HSBC World Match Play Championship [Eur]
  • 2008 King Hassan II Trophy
  • 2010 South African Open [SAf]
  • 2013 BMW International Open [Eur]

Additional Victories (6)

  • 1996 World Cup [with Wayne Westner]
  • 1997 PGA Grand Slam of Golf
  • 1997 Dunhill Cup [with David Frost and Retief Goosen]
  • 1998 Dunhill Cup [with David Frost and Retief Goosen]
  • 2001 World Golf Championships-EMC World Cup [with Retief Goosen]
  • 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf

PLAYOFF RECORD

PGA TOUR (4-4)

  • 1994 Defeated Colin Montgomerie, Loren Roberts, U.S. Open Championship
  • 2000 Lost to Tiger Woods, Mercedes Championships
  • 2001 Lost to Sergio Garcia, David Toms, Mike Weir, THE TOUR Championship
  • 2002 Defeated Stuart Appleby, Steve Elkington, Thomas Levet, The Open Championship
  • 2003 Defeated Aaron Baddeley, Sony Open in Hawaii
  • 2004 Defeated Harrison Frazar, Sony Open in Hawaii
  • 2004 Lost to Todd Hamilton, The Open Championship
  • 2012 Lost to Jason Dufner, Zurich Classic of New Orleans

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS (0-1)

  • 2020-21 Lost to Fred Couples, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai

National Teams

  • 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 Presidents Cup
  • 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001 World Cup
  • 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 Dunhill Cup

Personal

  • Started playing golf at age 9.
  • An accomplished junior tennis player, he won the Eastern Transvall Junior Championships at age 13. Turned full attention to golf at age 14 after also playing cricket, soccer and rugby.
  • Heavily involved in junior golf of South Africa and Cancer Society of South Africa.
  • Hosts Ernie Els Invitational in South Africa to raise money for charity. Ernie Els Foundation formed in early 1999, with the purpose of providing full support to disadvantaged children. Proceeds from the Ernie Els Invitational go to four charities and the Foundation.
  • Established the Els for Autism Foundation in spring 2009, with son, Ben, who is autistic, the driving force behind the mission. Opened the first components of The Els Center of Excellence on August 17, 2015. The Center, based in Jupiter, Fla., serves local, national and international autism communities and aims to be a game-changing resource in the field.
  • Was named the 2015 Payne Stewart Award recipient.
  • In December 1998, received lifetime membership on European Tour. Other non-Europeans so honored are Bob Charles, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.
  • In 2002, the 2000 Engelbrecht-Els wine was released and received the highest rating yet given to a South African wine.
  • Third Ernie Els design signature golf course near George in South Africa opened in 2004.

Special Interests

  • Movies, reading, sports

CURRENT YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mitsubishi Electric Classic: Finished fifth at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic for his fourth top-10 in his first seven starts of the season. Posted scores of 72-68-67.
  • Hoag Classic: As the defending champion at the Hoag Classic, finished seventh at 6-under 207 after entering the final round with a one-shot lead.
  • Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai: Led after the first round of the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and co-led entering the final round before finishing T6. Posted rounds of 64-68-70.

Career Highlights

2022 Season

  • Mitsubishi Electric Classic: Finished fifth at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic for his fourth top-10 in his first seven starts of the season. Posted scores of 72-68-67.
  • Hoag Classic: As the defending champion at the Hoag Classic, finished seventh at 6-under 207 after entering the final round with a one-shot lead.
  • Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai: Led after the first round of the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and co-led entering the final round before finishing T6. Posted rounds of 64-68-70.

2021 Season

  • TimberTech Championship: Carded rounds of 67-66-71 – 204 (-12) to finish T4 at the 2021 TimberTech Championship
  • Dominion Energy Charity Classic: Closed with 9-under 63 in the final round en route to a T4 finish at the 2021 Dominion Energy Charity Classic. Opened with rounds of 70-72.
  • Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS: Carded rounds of 69-67-71 to finish T4 at the 2021 Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS.
  • The Ally Challenge: Finished T10 at the 2021 Ally Challenge after scores of 69-68-69. It was his 15th top-10 of the season.
  • The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex: Finished T8 at the 2021 Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex for his 14th top-10 of the season. Opened with back-to-back 67s before shooting 70-72 on the weekend.
  • DICK'S Sporting Goods Open: Posted his second consecutive top-5 finish after carding rounds of 68-65-72 – 205 (-11) to finish runner-up at the 2021 DICK’S Sporting Goods Open.
  • Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship: Recorded 2-over 282 and finished fifth at the 2021 Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. Carded his best round of the tournament on Friday and his only round under par.
  • Regions Tradition: Closed with a bogey-free 66 at the 2021 Regions Tradition to finish T4 after opening with rounds of 69-69-73. It marked the seventh top-5 of his rookie season on PGA TOUR Champions.

2020 Season

  • Charles Schwab Cup Championship: Posted rounds of 68-70-66 at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and finished T5, his 10th top-10 of the season.
  • Dominion Energy Charity Classic: Recorded his ninth top-10 finish in 11 starts this season with a T9 finish at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
  • SAS Championship: Birdied the last two holes, including a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, to win by one at the SAS Championship. Started the final round T9 and three shots behind the three co-leaders, and finished with a 6-under 66 to win with a 12-under total. Moved to No. 1 in the Charles Schwab Cup to become the fourth rookie in Tour history to lead the standings.
  • PURE Insurance Championship: Made his third hole-in-one of the season in the first round of the PURE Insurance Championship (205-yard 12th hole). Became the fourth player in Tour history with three aces in a season, and first since Dan Forsman in 2015. Led by one through 36 holes but missed a three-foot par putt on the 54th hole to finish third, one shot behind Jim Furyk and Jerry Kelly.
  • Sanford International: Recorded rounds of 68-68-65 and finished T8 in his tournament debut at the Sanford International.
  • Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National: Tallied his third straight top-10 with a T7 finish at the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National.
  • Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge: Finished T7 at the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge, highlighted by a final-round hole-in-one on the 158-yard 11th. It was his second ace in six starts on PGA TOUR Champions, and he is the first player to record two aces in one Champions Tour season since Stephen Ames did so in 2017.
  • Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship: Finished T5 at the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, marking his third top-five finish in five events this season.
  • Hoag Classic: In just his third start on PGA TOUR Champions, carded rounds of 66-64-67 to record his first victory at the Hoag Classic. It was his first win since the 2013 BMW International Open and first in a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event since The Open Championship in 2012.

2019 Season

  • Maybank Championship: Finished in a tie for seventh at the Maybank Championship with a score of 10-under 278. Earned his 300th career top-10 worldwide since the inception of the Official Golf World Ranking in 1986.

2018 Season

Made five cuts in 15 starts, with a T30 at the Valero Texas Open his best showing.

2017 Season

Made seven cuts in 20 PGA TOUR starts, including advancing to the weekend in three of the four major championships (MC/PGA Championship). Finished No. 213 in the FedExCup standings, missing the FedExCup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. Will play out of Top 25 Career Money List category for 2017-18 PGA TOUR Season.

  • AT&T Byron Nelson: Best result of the season came with T35 at AT&T Byron Nelson.

2016 Season

Made 12 cuts in 21 PGA TOUR starts and finished No. 163 in the FedExCup standings, missing the FedExCup Playoffs for the second consecutive season.

  • PGA Championship: Finished T66 at PGA Championship, the only major championship in which he advanced to the weekend.
  • Quicken Loans National: In his 16th start of the season, returned to the site of his 1997 U.S. Open win at Congressional Country Club, host of the 2016 Quicken Loans National. Entered the final round in second place, two shots behind eventual-champion Billy Hurley III. Closed with a 1-over 72 to finish fifth, his first top-10 on TOUR since The Barclays in 2014 (T5). Snapped a streak of four missed cuts on the PGA TOUR.
  • THE PLAYERS Championship: His last made cut was at THE PLAYERS Championship (T64).

2015 Season

For the first time since joining the PGA TOUR in 1994 didn't claim a top-10 finish. Collected three top-25s in 18 starts and finished No. 173 in the FedExCup standings, missing the Playoffs for the first time.

2014 Season

Once again, played all over the world. On the PGA TOUR, claimed three top-10 finishes in 18 made cuts. For an eighth consecutive season, made it to the FedExCup Playoffs, but his season ended with a 41st-place finish in the standings.

  • BMW Championship: T16 at the BMW Championship.
  • The Barclays: Made a Sunday charge at The Barclays, posting a bogey-free, 5-under 66 to finish T5 with William McGirt and Matt Kuchar. Birdied his 71st and 72nd holes at Ridgewood CC to claim his eighth top-10 finish in 26 FedExCup Playoffs starts. With the performance, jumped from No. 91 to 39th in the FedExCup standings.
  • PGA Championship: Equaled his best round in a major championship, shooting a final-round, 6-under 65 to finish T7 at the PGA Championship. His other 65s came in the second round at the 2006 Open Championship (finished third) and 1995 PGA Championship (T3). His best finishes in 22 PGA Championship starts is a third-place showing in 2007 and a T3 in 1995.
  • World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship: In his 14th start at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, his ninth consecutive appearance, battled his way into the semifinals Sunday morning against Rickie Fowler at The GC at Dove Mountain. Despite an early charge by Fowler, which saw him leading for seven of the first nine holes, he rallied with consecutive wins on hole Nos. 10-12. His 2-up advantage was negated when Fowler went eagle-par on Nos. 13 and 14 to square the match. A birdie-3 at 18 squared the match and sent the two into extra holes. On the 19th hole, he couldn't match Fowler's birdie-3, leaving him fourth. Previously finished fourth in the 2001 event at The Metropolitan Club in Australia.
  • Hong Kong Open: Making his inaugural appearance in the Hong Kong Open, held the 36-hole lead at Hong Kong GC in mid-October 2014. Shot a 1-over 71 in the third round and couldn't make up any ground on the final day, shooting a 1-under 69 to T5 with Lucas Bjerregaard, S.S.P. Chawrasia and Marcus Fraser.

2013 Season

Played worldwide but struggled largely on the PGA TOUR, with just one top-10 finish in 19 starts.

  • Presidents Cup: At The Presidents Cup in Dublin, Ohio, was 3-2-0, including a Sunday singles' victory, in the International team's three-point loss to the U.S.
  • BMW Championship: Finished T6 at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in England in May. Shot a final-round 67 but fell two shots out of the three-man playoff.
  • Deutsche Bank Championship: With four rounds in the 60s at the Deutsche Bank Championship, good for a T20 finish, secured the 70th and final spot into the BMW Championship over Ryan Palmer by .467 of a point.
  • U.S. Open: Carded a final-round, 1-under 69, one of just six rounds under-par on the day, to finish T4 in his 21st U.S. Open start. Including wins in 1994 and 1997, has recorded 10 top-10 finishes at the event. Was seeking to become the seventh player with at least three U.S. Open wins (four, by Willie Anderson, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus; three by Hale Irwin and Tiger Woods).
  • BMW International Open: Opened with a 63 at the European Tour's BMW International Open in mid-June. Had at least a share of the lead through the first three rounds, fired his third consecutive 69 at Munchen Eichenried GC in Munich and defeated Thomas Bjorn by a stroke. Coupled with his 2012 Open Championship win, it marked the first time he had won in back-to-back seasons since 2007 and 2008.
  • Indonesian Masters: Made a run at victory on the Asian Tour in early May. Shot a second-round 70 at Royal Jakarta GC and added 68s in his other three rounds at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters but fell a stroke short of winner Bernd Wiesberger.
  • Venetian Macau Open: At the Venetian Macau Open on the Asian Tour in mid-October, opened with a 1-under 71 at the Macau G&CC. Reeled off rounds of 65-69-67 over his final 54 holes to finish T3, four shots behind winner Scott Hend.

2012 Season

Finished No. 26 in the FedExCup.

  • World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions: Birdied seven of his first nine holes in the second round en route to a bogey-free, 9-under 63 at Mission Hills GC in China before claiming a T2 at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions. In his fourth consecutive start in the event, posted four sub-par rounds (70-63-69-67), giving him 14 of 16 rounds in the event at par or better.
  • TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola: Closed with a 27th-place finish at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola.
  • Deutsche Bank Championship: Best finish during the four PGA TOUR Playoffs was a T26 at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
  • The Open Championship: Third-round leader Adam Scott bogeyed his final four holes at The Open Championship, opening the door for him to win his fourth major championship (19th overall PGA TOUR victory)–and first since the 2002 Open Championship. Began the day six strokes behind Scott, but posted a 4-under 32 on the closing nine, including a birdie on the par-4 18th hole (just the second Open champion to birdie the 72nd hole in the last 20 years; Stewart Cink did it in 2009), to card a final-round, 2-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Scott (75). The win came 10 years after he won his first Claret Jug, the second-longest gap in Open history. The victory made him the 16th different winner in the last 16 major championships and snapped a string of three straight American winners in majors. Royal Lytham & St. Annes has been kind, serving as the site of three of his seven top-threes in The Open Championship (won in, T2 in 1996 and T3 in 2001). Enshrined into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, he became the first male Hall of Fame member to win a major after being inducted since Lee Trevino was inducted in 1981 and later won the 1984 PGA Championship. The only other players to win a major after induction are Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Had three rounds in the 60s during the week, giving him the most rounds in the 60s (39) in Open Championship history (37 by Nick Faldo and 33 by Jack Nicklaus). Also moved up the charts for most under-par rounds (48) at The Open Championship since 1963--59 (Nicklaus), 53 (Faldo) and 45 (Tom Watson). Spurred on by his win at Royal Lytham, was voted the July PGA TOUR Player of the Month.
  • U.S. Open: Despite opening with a 5-over 75, fought back to finish solo ninth in his 20th U.S. Open start, with wins in 1994 and 1997 among his nine top-10 finishes. Was seeking to become the seventh player with three or more U.S. Open wins.
  • Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Finished runner-up to Jason Dufner in a playoff at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans when he failed to convert a birdie putt from 18 feet, seven inches on the second playoff hole (No. 18). Fell to 4-4 in playoffs on the PGA TOUR in his first appearance in a playoff since the 2004 Open Championship when he fell to Todd Hamilton. Posted the 17th runner-up finish of his career and best finish on TOUR since winning the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Carded four rounds in the 60s for the first time this season. Produced his second top-three finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (third in 2001).
  • Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard: Came back a week later with another top-five performance, a T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his fourth top-10 in the tournament to go with his two Bay Hill wins (won in 1998 and 2010; T9 in 2002). Needed a second- or solo third-place finish to move into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking for a invitation to the Masters Tournament.
  • Transitions Championship: Faced a short par putt to become part of the four-man playoff at the Transitions Championship in mid-March but missed, dropping to a T5, his first top-10 of the campaign and first top-five since the 2011 Frys.com Open (T4).
  • BMW PGA Championship: Opened with a 68 at Wentworth Club in late May at the BMW PGA Championship, a score that helped him to a T7 at the event played on a course he redesigned.
  • Volvo Golf Champions: At the Volvo Golf Champions on the European Tour, he forced a playoff with Branden Grace and Retief Goosen by firing a final-round 67–including a birdie on the 72nd hole–at The Links at Fancourt in his native South Africa. Lost the extra session on the first extra hole (the 18th) when Grace birdied the par-5 to his and Goosen's pars.

2011 Season

Season highlighted by his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May on the Monday prior to THE PLAYERS Championship. Had posted at least four top 10s every year since his rookie campaign in 1994 but finished the season with just one. Entered the Wyndham Championship outside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings but responded with a T30 finish to move up six spots, to No. 118, to make the FedExCup Playoffs. Would eventually finish 67th.

  • Presidents Cup: Playing on his seventh Presidents Cup International team, he compiled a 1-4-0 record in a losing cause at Royal Melbourne GC.
  • Frys.com Open: In his first start at the Frys.com Open in the Fall Series, posted four rounds in the 60s (69-66-67-68) to claim T4 honors, his first top-10 of the season. It was the first time he posted four consecutive, sub-70 rounds in an official TOUR event since the 2007 Northern Trust Open. The finish became his best since a T3 at the 2010 U.S. Open. The top-10 showing extended his streak of at least one top-10 per season on TOUR, dating to 1993.
  • World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship: Was T15 in defense of his title at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

2010 Season

Elected to the 2011 class of the World Golf Hall of Fame, announced by TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Finished the season ranked No. 9 in the FedExCup standings, with two wins and 15th trip to the TOUR Championship.

  • World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions: Earned his third World Golf Championships top 10 of the season when he T6 at the HSBC Champions in Sheshan, China.
  • PGA Grand Slam of Golf: Added a victory at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf late in the year in Bermuda. Entered the final nine holes of the 36-hole event three strokes behind but made three consecutive birdies to overtake David Toms.
  • THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola: Entered the FedExCup Playoffs ranked in the top spot, but fell to No. 9 in the final standings with a T7 at the TOUR Championship (his 300th PGA TOUR start) his only top-10 finish in the four Playoff starts.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Pulled into a tie for the lead in the final round of the U.S. Open before a bogey-double bogey-bogey stretch on Nos. 9-11 hindered his title hopes. Went on to card a 2-over 73 to finish third, his best major championship performance since finishing in the same position at the 2007 PGA Championship.
  • Valero Texas Open: Following a 36-hole marathon Sunday of the Valero Texas Open, where he shot 69-68, finished T3 with Aaron Baddeley. The top-10 was his fifth of the year.
  • Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard: Posted a 1-under 71 on Monday to finish 11-under 277, capturing the Arnold Palmer Invitational by two strokes over Kevin Na and Edoardo Molinari. The win was the 18th of his career and the second of the season (World Golf Championships-CA Championship). It was his16th appearance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. During those starts, he has posted 12 made cuts and three top-10 finishes (won in1998, T9 in 2002, won in 2010). Became the first player to win back-to-back starts on TOUR since Tiger Woods in 2009 (Buick Open and World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational). He has won back-to-back starts three times in his PGA TOUR career (also at the 2003 SBS Championship and Sony Open in Hawaii and the 1997 U.S. Open and Buick Classic). Became one of only five players to win two events in the same year on the "Florida Swing" (Woods, Tom Kite, Raymond Floyd and Steve Elkington.).
  • World Golf Championships-CA Championship: Ended a two-year victory drought, the longest of his career, with a win at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship. Played the final 23 holes without a bogey on TPC Blue Monster at Doral and closed with a 6-under 66 for a four-shot victory over countryman Charl Schwartzel. It was his 17th career PGA TOUR win and the 71st worldwide. He also became only the fifth player to win multiple times in the World Golf Championships, joining Tiger Woods, Darren Clarke, Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickelson. He was clinging to a one-shot lead when he sank a 25-foot par putt on the 14th hole and then birdied the 17th hole after Schwartzel, a 25-year-old who took part in Els' junior program in South Africa and was staying at Els' home during the week, made bogeys on 15 and 17.
  • Northern Trust Open: Second consecutive top-10 finish came with T10 at Northern Trust Open, shooting all four rounds under par.
  • Farmers Insurance Open: He posted a T5 at the Farmers Insurance Open, one of seven players to shoot all four rounds under par at Torrey Pines. It was his second top-10 in two starts at the Farmers Insurance Open (T6 in 2005).
  • Sony Open in Hawaii: Finished T12 at the Sony Open in Hawaii to start his season,
  • South African Open Championship: Returned to his homeland to win the South African Open for a fifth time. Officials reduced the final 36 holes of the rain-soaked tournament to a 34-hole affair, with fellow South African Retief Goosen finishing a stroke back.

2009 Season

Finished 16th in the FedExCup standings, marking his third top 20 finish in the FedExCup. His seven top-10 finishes were the most since he had eight in 2006.

  • World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions: Runner-up at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China in November, one stroke behind Phil Mickelson.
  • Presidents Cup: Make sixth appearance on the International Team in The Presidents Cup.
  • THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola: Finished ninth at the TOUR Championship to notch his seventh top-10 finish in 14 career starts at East Lake GC.
  • The Barclays: Was 4-over through four holes at The Barclays before turning it around to post a T2 for his best finish of the season and his sixth top-10 in 2009, and back-to-back top-10s for the first time on TOUR since the PGA Championship and The Barclays in 2007. Advanced 36 spots in the FedExCup standings to No. 11.
  • PGA Championship: Finished T6 at the PGA Championship. Was 5-under for the tournament in his third round until finishing with three consecutive bogeys.
  • The Open Championship: Earned his 12th top-10 finish (T8) in his 18th consecutive appearance at The Open Championship.
  • the Memorial Tournament: T8 at the Memorial Tournament, finishing 5-under for the tournament.
  • World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship: Reached quarterfinals of Accenture Match Play Championship, losing to Stewart Cink, 2 and 1, to finish T5.
  • Mercedes-Benz Championship: Making his eighth career start at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, posted his sixth top-10 finish there with a T6 to start the season.

2008 Season

He ended the season 13th in FedExCup points.

  • THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola: His fifth top-10 of the season was a T6 at the TOUR Championship, his sixth top-10 at the event in 13 career starts.
  • Deutsche Bank Championship: Finished T3 at the Deutsche Bank Championship with three rounds in the 60s.
  • The Open Championship: Opened with a 10-over 80 at The Open Championship, his worst round ever at the event, but 1-under 69s during the second and fourth rounds led to a T7 finish. It was his 11th top-10 finish at The Open Championship in 18 consecutive starts.
  • THE PLAYERS Championship: Recorded his best career finish in 15 starts at THE PLAYERS with a T6. Carded one score of double bogey or worse each day and wound up six strokes shy of eventual champion Sergio Garcia.
  • The Honda Classic: One of the world's true global golfers–with more than 50 worldwide career victories–captured his first PGA TOUR victory in 3 years, 4 months, 29 days, winning The Honda Classic by one stroke over Luke Donald. Began the final round three strokes behind Donald, Matt Jones and Mark Calcavecchia and fired a final-round 67 to complete the biggest comeback of his career. Victory was the 16th of his PGA TOUR career. Was tied with Calcavecchia until the 15th hole when Calcavecchia made double bogey from a greenside bunker. Donald just missed a birdie chip to tie on the final hole.

2007 Season

Played in three of the four FedExCup Playoffs events and finished 19th in the standings.

  • The Presidents Cup: Notched 3-2-0 record in fifth Presidents Cup appearance for International squad.
  • PGA Championship: Third at the PGA Championship, finishing with a 66. It marked the sixth time in his career that he has recorded back-to-back top-five finishes at major championships.
  • The Open Championship: Carded three birdies and no bogeys for a 33 on the front nine to play himself into contention in the final round of The Open Championship at Carnoustie, but finished T4 after making two bogeys on the back nine. 11th top-10 in 17 career Open Championship starts.
  • Verizon Heritage: Opened with rounds of 65-65 at the Verizon Heritage en route to finishing second to eventual winner Boo Weekley, who chipped in for par on the final two holes. Nearly holed his approach shot to the par-4 18th, which would have forced a playoff. This marked Els' seventh top-10 finish in nine starts at the Verizon Heritage.
  • Masters Tournament: Ended his longest consecutive cuts made streak at 46 after missing the cut at the Masters.
  • HSBC World Match Play Championship: Won a record seventh HSBC World Match Play Championship in mid-October at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England, beating U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera 6 and 4 in the final on a West Course he redesigned in 2005. Previously won the event in 1994-96 and 2002-04. Victory moved him to first in the European Tour Order of Merit. He finished second to Justin Rose on the season-long list.
  • South African Airways Open: Returned from knee injury in January at the South African Airways Open Championship, where he finished second to countryman Retief Goosen.

2006 Season

Posted eight top-10s and qualified for the TOUR Championship in first full season back after 2005 knee injury.

  • Dubai Desert Classic: Defending champion of the Dubai Desert Classic lost in a one-hole playoff to Tiger Woods.
  • South African Airways Open: Won the South African Airways Open in December 2006.

2005 Season

Opened the PGA TOUR season with three consecutive top-10s for just the second time in his 12 years on TOUR. Season cut short in July when he sustained a left knee injury during a sailing holiday in the Mediterranean the week after The Open Championship at St. Andrews. Required surgery for a ruptured anterior crucial ligament.

  • Buick Invitational: Finished T6 at the Buick Invitational.
  • Sony Open in Hawaii: Looking to win third straight Sony Open in Hawaii, tied course record with a 8-under-par 62 in final round to finish second, one behind Vijay Singh.
  • Mercedes Championships: Finished T5 at season-opening Mercedes Championships. Came to 72nd hole with an opportunity to force a playoff with Stuart Appleby with a birdie on the par-5 18th, but hit tee shot out of bounds and made bogey to finish two behind Appleby.
  • BMW Asian Open: For fourth consecutive season, picked up at least three wins by capturing his third at the BMW Asian Open. Fired a 7-under-par 65 to cruise to a 13-stroke victory and completed 72 holes in a tournament-record 26-under-par 262 at Shanghai's Tomson GC.
  • Qatar Masters: Following week, fired closing 66 to come from five strokes back and win the Qatar Masters by a stroke over Sweden's Henrik Stenson on the European Tour.
  • Dubai Desert Classic: Used an eagle on the 72nd hole to defeat Miguel Angel Jimenez by one stroke at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic in early March.

2004 Season

Season included three TOUR victories and top-10 finishes in all four majors, including near-misses at the Masters and The Open Championship. Also captured two events on the European Tour and won second consecutive European Tour Order of Merit.

  • THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola: After T10 finish at the TOUR Championship, dropped to No. 3 in Official World Golf Ranking behind Woods.
  • World Golf Championships-American Express Championship: Added his third win on the PGA TOUR and first in a World Golf Championships event at the American Express Championship in Ireland. Led by two strokes after the second and third rounds and defeated Thomas Bjorn by a stroke after a final-round 69. Moved back into second, past Tiger Woods, in the Official World Golf Ranking.
  • PGA Championship: Fourth top-10 in a major was a T4 at the PGA Championship.
  • The Open Championship: Finished as the runner-up for the second time in a major during the season, losing to Todd Hamilton in a four-hole playoff at The Open Championship. Birdied two of the last three holes and tied Hamilton on the 72nd hole when Hamilton bogeyed the hole. Hamilton posted four pars to Els' three pars and a bogey (17th hole) to win the playoff. Recorded a hole-in-one during first round on the "Postage Stamp," the par-3 eighth hole by using a wedge from 123 yards. Became the sixth player in tournament history to post four rounds in the 60s and did it for the second time (1993).
  • U.S. Open Championship: Posted his seventh top-10 finish in 12 U.S. Open appearances with a T9 at Shinnecock Hills GC.
  • the Memorial Tournament: Won the Memorial Tournament with a pair of 66s on the weekend for a four-stoke victory over Fred Couples. Needed just 100 putts to win his second tournament of the season. Overtook Vijay Singh for second in the Official World Golf Ranking.
  • Masters Tournament: Finished runner-up to Phil Mickelson at the Masters for fifth straight top-10 in Augusta, sixth overall. After opening 70-72-71, started the final round three back of Mickelson and co-leader Chris DiMarco. Took the lead after eagle-3 on No. 8 and another eagle-3 on No. 13 and posted final-round 5-under-par 67 to take the clubhouse lead at 8-under-par 280. Edged by one when Mickelson holed 18-foot putt on 72nd hole.
  • Sony Open in Hawaii: Holed a 30-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole to beat Harrison Frazar for 13th career TOUR victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
  • HSBC World Match Play Championship: Two weeks later, won the HSBC World Match Play title on the European Tour for a record sixth time. On his 35th birthday, beat Lee Westwood, 2 and 1.

2003 Season

Played 17 TOUR and nine European Tour events. In addition to winning twice on TOUR in Hawaii and finishing ninth on the TOUR's money list, compiled four official European Tour wins (in Australia, Austria and Scotland) and won the European Tour Order of Merit. One of three players (along with Mike Weir and Kenny Perry) that posted three top-10s in majors. Became the first player since Steve Jones in 1989 to capture the first two tournaments of the season when he won the Mercedes Championships and Sony Open in Hawaii in early January. Only Byron Nelson (1946), Lloyd Mangrum (1953), Johnny Miller (1974, three events; and 1975), Gil Morgan (1983), Jones and Els have accomplished that among modern-day players.

  • The Presidents Cup: Played in homeland of South Africa at The Presidents Cup, competing for the International team.
  • PGA Championship: Finished T5 at PGA Championship.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Finished T5 at the U.S. Open.
  • Masters Tournament: Finished T6 at The Masters.
  • Sony Open in Hawaii: Sank a 43-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole, the second playoff hole, to beat Aaron Baddeley at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Both finished at 16-under after Baddeley birdied the 72nd hole.
  • Mercedes Championships: Captured season-opening Mercedes Championships in record fashion, finishing at 31-under-par 261. Total in relation to par broke Mark Calcavecchia's 72-hole tournament TOUR record of 28-under set at the 2001 Phoenix Open. Eight-stroke margin of victory over K.J. Choi and Rocco Mediate was largest on TOUR since Calcavecchia's eight-stroke Phoenix victory in 2001.
  • HSBC World Match Play Championship: Won his fifth career HSBC World Match Play Championship, a European Tour-approved special event.

2002 Season

A year to remember with the birth of a son and third career major victory. Won six official events worldwide, including twice on TOUR, solidifying No. 3 Official World Golf Ranking. Won the Heineken Classic in Melbourne, Australia on the European Tour by five strokes for his ninth European Tour victory.

  • The Open Championship: Earned third career major victory at the 131st Open Championship at Muirfield with scores of 70-66-72-70–278. Tied for the lead with Shigeki Maruyama, Padraig Harrington, Duffy Waldorf and Bob Tway after 36 holes at 6-under. Held 54-hole lead at 5-under, two strokes ahead of Soren Hansen. After losing a three-shot lead on the back nine Sunday, survived a playoff with Thomas Levet, Steve Elkington and Stuart Appleby to earn the Claret Jug. After parring his way through the four-hole playoff, made a par out of the greenside bunker on the first hole of sudden death against Levet. With his right foot anchored on the top of a bunker left of the 18th green, blasted out to 5 feet and made the putt to secure the victory.
  • World Cup of Golf: Completed year in November by teaming with Retief Goosen to win World Cup in Japan. The South Africans beat three others teams, including Americans Tiger Woods and David Duval, in a playoff.
  • Nedbank Golf Challenge: Put a cap on his year when he won the Nedbank Challenge, making nine birdies in the final round, shooting a course-record 63 and claiming the $2-million first prize by a whopping eight shots over Colin Montgomerie.
  • Cisco World Match Play Championship: Won the Cisco World Match Play, beating Sergio Garcia, 2 and 1, in the finals.
  • Dubai Desert Classic: Won again the following week, at the Dubai Desert Classic, becoming the first multiple winner in the tournament's 14-year history after posting all four rounds in the 60s.
  • Genuity Championship: Collected first TOUR victory since 2000 at the Genuity Championship. Rounds of 66-67-66 gave him an eight-stroke lead with 18 holes to play. Final-round 72 earned a two-stroke victory over Tiger Woods.

2001 Season

In a year full of streaks, didn't win on TOUR for the first time since joining in 1994. Ranked in the top 30 for the seventh time in eight years, with 1998 the only year he failed to qualify for THE TOUR Championship.

  • THE TOUR Championship: Best chance to win was a playoff loss at the TOUR Championship. Closed with 68 to tie eventual winner Mike Weir, Sergio Garcia and David Toms at 14-under 270.
  • Vodacom Players Challenge: At Royal Cape GC in South Africa, he won the Vodacom Players Challenge, thanks to a final-round, 7-under 65 that gave him a one-shot win over Retief Goosen, Alan McLean and Martin Maritz.

2000 Season

Finished second five times, most since Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer in 1964 (six). The record is 13 by Harold (Jug) McSpaden in 1945. Began with playoff loss to Tiger Woods at Mercedes Championships and then had seconds at the Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Became the first player to finish second in three consecutive majors in same season. Nicklaus (1964) was the previous player to have three majors' runners-up in same year.

  • The International Presented by Qwest: Victory at The INTERNATIONAL extended to seven years his string of years with at least one TOUR win. Defeated Phil Mickelson by four points to earn his eighth TOUR title. His 48 points under the Modified Stableford scoring system tied the tournament record set by Mickelson in 1997.
  • Nedbank Golf Challenge: Successfully defended his Nedbank Challenge title, beating Lee Westwood on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Sunk a 5-foot birdie putt at Gary Player CC for the win.
  • The Standard Life Loch Lomond: On the European Tour, finally won the Loch Lomond Open, three years after his disappointment losing to Tom Lehman. Turned the tables on Lehman, winning by a stroke after four rounds in the 60s at Loch Lomond GC in Scotland.

1999 Season

  • National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney: Was solo third going into the final round of the National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney and eventually finished solo second, a shot behind Woods.
  • World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational: Contended at the World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational (fifth).
  • Nissan Open: Earned a two-stroke victory over Ted Tryba, Tiger Woods and Davis Love III at the Nissan Open to begin his PGA TOUR season. Shot rounds of 68-66-68-68 for the win.
  • Vodacom Players Challenge: Finished T4 at the Vodacom Players Championship.
  • Cisco World Match Play Championship: Finished T5 at the Cisco World Match Play Championship.
  • Johnnie Walker Classic: Contended at the Johnnie Walker Classic (third).
  • Heineken Classic: Other runner-up performance came in late January, at the Heineken Classic. Appeared to have the tournament under control, holding a three-stroke lead over Jarmo Sandelin with a round to play. Ballooned to a final-round 75 to lose by a stroke to Jarrod Moseley.
  • Deutsche Bank Open-TPC of Europe: Contended at the Deutsche Bank Open-TPC of Europe (T5).
  • Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship: Began his year quickly, with a four-stroke win at the Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship over Richard Kaplan.
  • South African Open Championship: Finished T6 at the South African Open Championship.
  • Volvo PGA Championship: Finished T4 at the Volvo PGA Championship.
  • Million Dollar Challenge: Came back late in the year to win the unofficial Million Dollar Challenge in Sun City by five strokes over Colin Montgomerie.
  • Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship: Began his year quickly, with a four-stroke win at the Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship over Richard Kaplan.

1998 Season

  • The Presidents Cup: Member of victorious International Presidents Cup team, sporting a 3-1-1 record at the biennial event.
  • Masters Tournament: After T16 at Masters, ranked No.1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for several weeks.
  • Bay Hill Invitational: Claimed sixth career TOUR victory at Bay Hill. Rains forced 36-hole finish Sunday and third-round 65 vaulted him to six-stroke lead while closing with a 73, good for a four-stroke win
  • South African Open Championship: Final runner-up performance of the campaign came at the Alfred Dunhill South African PGA in Johannesburg. Was two strokes back of Tony Johnstone at Houghton GC.
  • Volvo PGA Championship: Was T2 at the Volvo PGA Championship, falling by a stroke to Colin Montgomerie at Wentworth Club.
  • Heineken Classic: At the Heineken Classic, was again in position to win but T3 on the European Tour's Heineken Classic.
  • Johnnie Walker Classic: Was a runner-up on the European Tour in late January, at the Johnnie Walker Classic. Held a one-stroke lead over Nick Faldo through 54 holes, with Tiger Woods eight strokes back. Shot a Sunday 73 while Woods turned in a 65 to force a playoff that Woods won.
  • South African Airways Open Championship: Won the South African Open with a 69-68 weekend to beat David Frost by three strokes at Durban CC.

1997 Season

Made seven European Tour starts, and was a runner-up three times.

  • Buick Classic: Successfully defended Buick Classic title the following week in wire-to-wire fashion. First repeat wire-to-wire winner since Tom Watson won Tournament of Champions in 1979-80.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Became first international player since Alex Smith (1906 and 1910) to win U.S. Open more than once with victory at Congressional CC. Trailed Tom Lehman by one stroke after 36 holes and by two after 54. Final-round 69, including decisive par on 71st hole, secured victory by one stroke over Colin Montgomerie.
  • Million Dollar Challenge: Late in the year, was T2 at the unofficial Million Dollar Challenge in South Africa, tied with Davis Love III a stroke behind winner Nick Price.
  • Toyota World Match Play: Runner up at the unofficial Toyota World Match Play at Wentworth Club, losing the final match to Vijay Singh in the 12-player event in England.
  • Loch Lomond World Invitational: Runner up at the Loch Lomond World Invitational (finished five strokes behind Lehman).
  • Volvo PGA Championship: Runner up at the Volvo PGA Championship, (lost to Ian Woosnam by two strokes).
  • Johnnie Walker Classic: Won the Johnnie Walker Classic by a stroke over Peter Lonard and Michael Long.

1996 Season

  • The Presidents Cup: Was 3-1-1 as member of International team in Presidents Cup.
  • The Open Championship: Shot a final-round 67 at The Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes but still came up two strokes shy of winner Tom Lehman.
  • Buick Classic: Won Buick Classic for third TOUR title.
  • World Cup of Golf: At the World Cup, joined Wayne Westner at Cape Town's Erinvale GC to win the annual team event for South Africa for the first time since 1974 (Bobby Cole-Dale Hayes).
  • Alfred Dunhill PGA: At the weather-shortened Alfred Dunhill PGA, he was T2 with David Feherty, three strokes behind Sven Struver.
  • Philips South African Open: Other victory came at the South African Open, where he and Brenden Pappas both shot final-round 66s, with Pappas falling by a stroke.

1995 Season

  • PGA Championship: At the PGA Championship at Riviera, equaled 36-hole tournament record with 131 and set 54-hole record with 197. Held three-stroke lead entering final round, but shot 72 to finish two strokes out of Steve Elkington-Colin Montgomerie playoff.
  • GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic: Earned second title at GTE Byron Nelson Classic on strength of second-round 61, a course record at Cottonwood Valley. His 263 total broke Sam Snead's 38-year-old tournament record.

1994 Season

  • U.S. Open Championship: Victorious at U.S. Open in a playoff over Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie. Held two-stroke lead entering final round, but closed with a 73. Montgomerie was eliminated from the 18-hole playoff after he shot a 78. After both he and Roberts shot 74, he won his first major championship with a 4 on the 20th extra hole.

1993 Season

  • The Open Championship: Became first player to record four rounds in 60s at The Open Championship, finishing T6.

1992 Season

Split his time between the European Tour and the South African Tour. Won six events on Southern African Tour. Joined Gary Player that year as only players to win South African Open, South Africa PGA and South African Masters in same year. On the European Tour, he made 13 starts.

  • The Open Championship: Was tied for fourth with a round to play at The Open Championship at Muirfield. Six shots of Nick Faldo's leading pace, he shot a 3-over 74 to drop into a T5 with six other players.
  • Honda Open: Best European Tour finish of seventh at the Honda Open in October in Germany.

1991 Season

Played eight events on the Korn Ferry Tour.

  • Ben Hogan Tulsa Open: Had his best finish, a T9 at the Tulsa Open. Was tied for second through 36 holes of the 54-hole event. A final-round 75 was his undoing at the GC of Oklahoma.
  • Ben Hogan Dakota Dunes Open: In his first Korn Ferry Tour round, he fired a 9-under 63 at Dakota Dunes CC. Trailed Lee Chill by a stroke at the Dakota Dunes Open. Shot a second-round 74 then bounced back with a 7-under 65 to to T14, six strokes back of Jeff Woodland.

Amateur Highlights

  • Was a scratch golfer at age 14, when he won the World Junior Golf Championship under-14 title in San Diego, beating Phil Mickelson.
  • Was awarded the Junior Springbok colours–awarded to South African teams and individuals who performed well in international competition.
  • In 1987, he received the State President Sports Award and received his full Springbok colours in 1988.